📰🏟️ Air Jordan has spoken

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—Kyle & Peter

1) World Series viewership dips in the US, but surges abroad

TV ratings from the first two games of the Dodgers-Blue Jays matchup reveal US viewership is down nearly 15% compared to last year—but strong Canadian and Japanese numbers are more than offsetting the drop.

• Game 1’s combined 32.6 million viewers in the US, Canada, and Japan were the highest in the MLB since Game 7 of the 2016 Series, when the Cubs ended their 108-year title drought.
• Game 2 wasn’t far behind, with a combined 28.6 million viewers.
• The World Series continues with Game 5 tonight, after the Blue Jays beat the Dodgers last night to tie the series at 2-2.

3 storylines to watch heading to Game 5

2) Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson secured the sack bag

This morning, Detroit signed the star pass rusher to a four-year, $180M contract extension with $141M guaranteed. Among non-QBs, Hutchinson’s annual average ($45M/yr) trails only Packers DE Micah Parsons ($46.5M/yr), while his guaranteed money is top of the list.

• Hutchinson has returned to form so far in 2025 after suffering a tibia and fibula fracture in the middle of last season.
• His 6.9 pressures/game and four forced fumbles both lead the NFL, while he also ranks top-ten in sacks (6) and pressure rate (19.2%).

Why Hutchinson was shown the money

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3) NCAA delays new sports betting rule change

The NCAA Division I board voted to push back the effective date of a rule change that would allow college athletes to bet on professional sports, from Nov. 1 to Nov. 22. 

• It follows strong criticism from notable figures in college athletics, including SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, who warned the change would be a “major step in the wrong direction” for integrity and athlete well‑being.
• Division I schools can vote to overturn the proposal ahead of the new Nov. 22 deadline.

Dive into the controversy

4) UFC champ Tom Aspinall still can’t see after eye poke

UFC heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall “can’t see anything” out of his right eye days after suffering an eye poke in his title fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 this weekend, his father/coach revealed late Tuesday.

• The bout ended midway through Round 1 when Gane accidentally poked both of Aspinall’s eyes, forcing the first no‑contest in UFC title fight history.
• Aspinall now reportedly has 0% vision in his right eye and just ~50% in the left. He’s in the process of undergoing further medical tests.

Explore the eye‑opening setback

5) Michael Jordan doesn’t believe in NBA load management

In a new interview for the NBC series “MJ: Insights to Excellence,” the legendary NBA star didn’t hold back when asked about modern‑day stars sitting out games for load management.

• “It shouldn't be needed, first and foremost," Jordan said. “You know, I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove… I want to impress that guy way up on top who probably worked his [butt] off to get a ticket or to get money to buy the ticket."

Hear more from Air Jordan

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